Water collecting system, humidification system, and air conditioning system

ABSTRACT

A water collecting system of an embodiment has a water supplying unit with a water-permeable membrane, a first chamber and a second chamber separated from the first chamber by the permeable membrane, a vacuum unit, a water collecting unit collecting liquid water, a first switching valve, a cooling unit cooling the water collecting unit; and an air blowing unit sending first gas to the first chamber. The second chamber, the vacuum unit, the water collecting unit, and the first switching valve comprise a first loop circuit in which second gas flow. The vacuum unit decompresses the second gas flowing in the first loop circuit and reduces a pressure in the second gas in comparison with a pressure in the first gas. The cooling unit collects the liquid water by cooling the second gas passing through the water collecting unit and condensing gaseous water included in the second gas.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-059053, filed on Mar. 23, 2015; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate to a water collecting system, a humidification system, and an air conditioning system.

BACKGROUND

A humidity control module for controlling humidity in a space is known to improve comfort at home and in an office space. The humidity control module includes a dehumidifying film module including a dehumidifying film, an adsorption unit including an adsorbent, and an air supply unit for supplying air to the dehumidifying film module and the adsorption unit. A method is proposed in which, by supplying air to be dehumidified on one face of the dehumidifying film and supplying decompressed air on another face, moisture included in the air to be dehumidified is discharged to the decompressed air side through the dehumidifying film, and the dehumidified air is provided. Further, a method is proposed in which, a steam separator having a polymer film such as fluororesin and a decompressing pump, steam separated and collected from air to be discharged from inside to outside of a room is directly supplied to air to be supplied from outside to inside, to humidify the inside of the room.

When one assumes to use the humidity control module using such a humidity exchange film to dehumidify and/or humidify a house and an office space, reduction in a driving force of the module (low energy consumption), noise reduction, and downsizing in the whole module are required.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a water collecting system according to embodiments described herein;

FIG. 2 is a chart of a water collecting cycle according to the embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a humidification system according to the embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a chart of a humidification cycle according to the embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an air conditioning system according to the embodiments; and

FIG. 6 is a chart of an air conditioning cycle according to the embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A water collecting system of an embodiment has a water supplying unit with a water-permeable membrane, a first chamber and a second chamber separated from the first chamber by the water-permeable membrane, a vacuum unit, a water collecting unit collecting liquid water, a first switching valve, a cooling unit cooling the water collecting unit; and an air blowing unit sending first gas to the first chamber. The second chamber, the vacuum unit, the water collecting unit, and the first switching valve comprise a first loop circuit in which second gas flow. The vacuum unit decompresses the second gas flowing in the first loop circuit and reduces a pressure in the second gas in comparison with a pressure in the first gas. The cooling unit collects the liquid water by cooling the second gas passing through the water collecting unit and condensing gaseous water included in the second gas.

A humidification system of an embodiment has a water supplying unit with a water-permeable membrane, a first chamber and a second chamber separated from the first chamber by the water permeable membrane, a vacuum unit, a water collecting unit collecting liquid water, a first switching valve, a cooling unit cooling the water collecting unit, an air blowing unit sending first gas to the first chamber, a liquid water vaporization unit vaporizing the liquid water, and a liquid feed unit feeding the liquid water collected by the water collecting unit to the liquid water vaporization unit. The second chamber, the vacuum unit, the water collecting unit, and the first switching valve comprise a first loop circuit in which second gas flow. The vacuum unit decompresses the second gas flowing in the first loop circuit and reduces a pressure in the second gas in comparison with a pressure in the first gas. The cooling unit collects liquid water by cooling cools the second gas passing through the water collecting unit and condensing gaseous water included in the second gas. The liquid water vaporization unit vaporizes the liquid water.

An air conditioning system of an embodiment has a water supplying with a water-permeable membrane, a first chamber and a second chamber separated from the first chamber by the water permeable membrane, a vacuum unit, a water collecting unit collecting liquid water, a first switching valve, an air blowing unit sending first gas to the first chamber, a liquid water vaporization unit vaporizing the liquid water, a liquid feed unit feeding the liquid water collected by the water collecting unit to the liquid water vaporization unit, and a heat pump cycle including a cooling unit. The second chamber, the vacuum unit, the water collecting unit, and the first switching valve comprise a first loop circuit in which second gas flow. The vacuum unit decompresses the second gas flowing in the first loop circuit and reduces a pressure in the second gas in comparison with a pressure in the first gas. The cooling unit is cooled by heat absorption by the refrigerant in the heat pump cycle. The cooled cooling unit cools the water collecting unit and the liquid water is collected, Humidification by vaporizing the liquid water by the liquid water vaporization unit and air conditioning operation by the heat pump cycle are performed.

First Embodiment

A first embodiment relates to a water collecting system and a water collecting method. A water collecting system of an embodiment has a water supplying unit with a water-permeable membrane, a first chamber and a second chamber separated from the first chamber by the permeable membrane, a vacuum unit, a water collecting unit collecting liquid water, a first switching valve, a cooling unit cooling the water collecting unit, and an air blowing unit sending first gas to the first chamber. The second chamber, the vacuum unit, the water collecting unit, and the first switching valve comprise a first loop circuit in which second gas flow. The vacuum unit decompresses the second gas flowing in the first loop circuit and reduces a pressure in the second gas in comparison with a pressure in the first gas. The cooling unit collects the liquid water by cooling the second gas passing through the water collecting unit and condensing gaseous water included in the second gas.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a water collecting (water collecting device) system 100 according to the first embodiment. A water collecting system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a water supplying unit with a water-permeable membrane 3, a first chamber 1 and a second chamber 2, a decompressing pump 5 which is a vacuum unit, a water collecting unit 6, a first switching valve 8, a cooling unit 7, and an air blowing unit 4. First gas flow in the first chamber 1, and second gas flow in the second chamber 2. Liquid water is collected by the water collecting unit 6. Operation of the air blowing unit 4, the decompressing pump 5, the cooling unit 7, the first switching valve 8, and the like are preferably controlled by a control unit C. The control unit C is connected to the decompressing pump 5 and the like by a wire (not illustrated). It is preferable for control unit C has a mechanical switch and an electronic circuit. The second chamber 2, the decompressing pump 5, the water collecting unit 6, and the first switching valve 8 comprises a first loop circuit in which the second gas flow. The first loop circuit forms a closed circuit in which the second gas circulate. Lines L1 to L5 are pipes in which the second gas flow. The water collecting system 100 can be used, for example, as a system for supplying liquid water to a humidity control device. Further, the water collecting system 100 may be used as a device for performing a water electrolysis reaction, such that the water collecting unit 6 of the water collecting system 100 may be used as a water supply source of water consumed in the water electrolysis reaction. The water collecting system according to the first embodiment may be provided inside or outside of a room, and it is preferably provided outside. The water supplying unit includes the first chamber 1, the second chamber 2, and the water-permeable membrane 3. The first chamber 1 is a space in which a first gas flow. The first gas is gas such as the atmosphere including water (gaseous water). When the first gas passes through the first chamber 1, a part of gaseous water included in the first gas moves, through the water-permeable membrane 3, to the second chamber 2 on the first loop circuit side decompressed by the decompressing pump 5.

The second chamber 2 is included in the first loop circuit and disposed between the decompressing pump 5 and the water collecting unit 6. The second chamber 2 is separated from the first chamber 1 by the permeable membrane 3. The second chamber 2 and the decompressing pump 5 are connected by the line L1. Further, the second chamber 2 and the water collecting unit 6 are connected by the line L4. The second chamber 2 is a region in which gaseous water moved from the first chamber 1 through the water-permeable membrane 3 is mixed with a second gas. An amount of steam in the second gas including the gaseous water moved from the first chamber 1 is increased.

The water-permeable membrane 3 is a film separating the first chamber 1 and the second chamber 2. The water-permeable membrane 3 is a membrane having high steam permeability in comparison with permeability with respect to nitrogen and oxygen, and, for example, at least one of a solid polymer membrane (such as Nafion (trademark)), a membrane including acrylic resin, a membrane formed of acrylic resin, zeolite membrane and a silica membrane can be used. The silica membrane is a resin membrane including hydropolysilazane as a base unit, and more specifically a membrane formed of perhydropolysilazane. Herein, a membrane is defined to have steam permeability in the case where a permeation amount of water passing through the membrane is 100 g/hour/m² or more, when the water-permeable membrane 3 separates saturated air which is at 25° C. in an atmospheric pressure (1 atm) and in which a relative humidity is 90% or more and saturated air which is at 25° C. in an atmospheric pressure (1 atm) and in which a relative humidity is 5%, and 100 m³/hour/m² of the saturated air which is at 25° C. and in which the relative humidity is 90% or more is supplied per unit area (m²). The water-permeable membrane 3 permeates water and does not permeate nitrogen, oxygen, and organic substances, and therefore, it has an effect of preventing contamination of collected water. A membrane having a high selectivity to permeate only water is preferably used as the water-permeable membrane 3.

The air blowing unit 4 is connected to the first chamber 1 and for feeding first gas to the first chamber 1. As the air blowing unit 4, for example, a blower and a fan are preferably used. The air blowing unit 4 is preferably used to secure the amount of collected water in a short time even if the moisture content in the air is small.

The decompressing pump 5 is a vacuum unit and a device for decompressing second gas flowing in a first loop circuit. The line L1 connects an intake side of the decompressing pump 5 and the second chamber 2. Further, the line L 2 connects an exhaust side of the decompressing pump 5 and the first switching valve 8. The decompressing pump 5 is a vacuum unit for feeding the second gas. By the decompress ing pump 5, a pressure in the second gas becomes lower than a pressure in the first gas. The water collecting unit 6 collects liquid water by moving gaseous water included in the first chamber 1 to the second gas in the second chamber 2 by decompressing the second gas by the decompressing pump 5. As the decompressing pump 5, for example, a diaphragm vacuum pump and a scroll vacuum pump can be used. Outside air, nitrogen including gaseous water and the like are used as the second gas.

The water collecting unit 6 is disposed between the second chamber 2 and the first switching valve 8. The line L4 connects the water collecting unit 6 and the second chamber 2. The line L3 connects the water collecting unit 6 and the first switching valve 8. The water collecting unit 6 cools a second gas and flocculates gaseous water included in the second gas. The gaseous water is then condensed, and liquid water (condensed water) is provided. The liquid water is then collected by the water collecting unit 6. The water collecting unit 6 is preferably a vessel for at least temporarily storing the collected liquid water. The water collecting unit 6 preferably includes a gas-liquid separation unit. The gas-liquid separation unit preferably prevents vaporization of liquid water and separates a region in which the collected liquid water is stored and a region in which the second gas flow. The gas-liquid separation unit preferably has a function as a partition to prevent that the liquid water collected by the lines L3 and L4 circulate in a first loop circuit. As the gas-liquid separation unit, for example, a unit is used in which high density liquid water is stored at a bottom to separate by using gravity. The collected liquid water is preferably used for such as humidification.

The cooling unit 7 cools the water collecting unit 6. The water collecting unit 6 is cooled by the cooling unit 7. By cooling the water collecting unit 6, the second gas flowing in the water collecting unit 6 is cooled. As described above, the cooling unit 7 cools the second gas and condenses gaseous water included in the second gas. Liquid water (condensed water) is collected by the water collecting unit 6. The cooling unit 7 is not limited as long as the water collecting unit 6 can be cooled to lower than an outside temperature (a temperature outside of the water collecting unit 6, for example, an outdoor temperature), such as low temperature air, a heat exchanger, a Peltie device, or ice. Typically, the water collecting unit 6 has a temperature preferably 2 to 15° C. lower than an outside temperature. The cooling unit 7 is preferably thermally connected to the water collecting unit 6.

The first switching valve 8 is disposed between the decompressing pump 5 and the water collecting unit 6. The first switching valve 8 is connected to an exhaust side of the decompressing pump 5, the water collecting unit 6, and the line L5 which is a pipe for exhausting to the outside of a first loop circuit. The line L2 connects the first switching valve 8 and the decompressing pump 5. The line L4 connects the first switching valve 8 and the water collecting unit 6. The first switching valve 8 switches a first fluid passage in which second gas flow from the decompressing pump 5 to the water collecting unit 6 and a second fluid circuit in which the second gas flow from the decompressing pump 5 to the line L5 which is a pipe for exhausting to the outside of the first loop circuit. When the first switching valve 8 is switched so as to conduct the lines L2 and L3, the first loop circuit is closed, and the second gas flow from the decompressing pump 5 to the water collecting unit 6 and circulate in the first loop circuit. Further, when the first switching valve 8 is switched so as to conduct the lines L2 and L5, the first loop circuit is opened, the second gas sent from the decompressing pump 5 passes through the line L5 and is exhausted to the outside of the first loop circuit, and an atmospheric pressure in the first loop circuit is decompressed. A pressure in the first loop circuit is adjusted by operating the decompressing pump 5 and switching the first switching valve 8. The pressure in the first loop circuit may be measured by providing a pressure sensor (not illustrated) and may be estimated from operation of the decompressing pump 5 and the first switching valve 8. The first switching valve 8 is, for example, a three-way valve.

The control unit C is connected to such as the air blowing unit 4, the decompressing pump 5, the cooling unit 7, and the first switching valve 8 and controls operation thereof. The control unit C may use an integrated circuit such as a microcomputer and a program logic device (PLD), may use a manual operation switch, and may use both of the integrated circuit and the switch. The control unit C may control operation of the water collecting system 100 based on the amount of collected water by using a sensor (not illustrated) for measuring the water collecting amount. Further, the control unit C may control operation of the water collecting system 100 based on a pressure by using a sensor (not illustrated) for measuring a pressure of second gas. Furthermore, preferably, in the present embodiment and in other embodiments, the amount of collected water, a pressure, a humidity, and a temperature are measured, compared with a reference value, and determined, and then operation of a device (system) according to the embodiment is controlled.

A metal pipe and a resin pipe can be used for the line L which is a pipe according to the embodiment. A material, an appearance, and an inner diameter of the line L can be appropriately selected in accordance with a fluid passing through the pipe.

A water collecting cycle of the water collecting system 100, which is a water collecting method according to the first embodiment, will be described. FIG. 2 illustrates a chart of the water collecting cycle according to the first embodiment. The water collecting cycle illustrated in the chart in FIG. 2 includes a water collecting start step (S1-1), an air blowing unit operation start step (S1-2), a cooling unit operation start step (S1-3), a switching valve switching (L2 to L5) step (S1-4), a decompression pump operation start step (S1-5), a pressure comparison (P≦P_(SET)) step (S1-6), a switching valve switching (L2 to L3) step (S1-7), a water collecting amount comparison (V≧V_(SET1)) step (S1-8), a decompressing pump operation stop step (S1-9), a cooling unit operation stop step (S1-10), and a water collecting stop step (S1-11). An arrow in FIG. 2 indicates a direction in which fluid flow in an operation cycle to be described below.

The water collecting start step (S1-1) is, for example, an instruction from the control unit C for starting water collecting. The instruction from the control unit C is such as timing when the amount of collected water becomes lower than a determined amount, timing set by the control unit C, and switch operation by an operator.

The air blowing unit operation start step (S1-2) is a step to start operation of the air blowing unit 4 which feeds first gas to the first chamber 1. An air blowing amount is determined to an appropriate amount in accordance with a cooling performance of the cooling unit 7 and a temperature and a humidity of the first gas. The air blowing unit 4 may be operated continuously or intermittently.

The cooling unit operation start step (S1-3) is a step to start cooling in the water collecting unit 6 by operating the cooling unit 7. This step differs depending on a device used in the cooling unit 7. In the case where a lower temperature air is used for the cooling unit 7, for example, a device for generating a low temperature air is operated, and the low temperature air is fed toward the water collecting unit 6. In the case where a heat exchanger is used for the cooling unit 7, for example, in a heating cycle of an air controller, the water collecting unit 6 is cooled by vaporization heat generated by the heat exchanger when a liquid refrigerant is vaporized. In the case where a Peltie device is used for the cooling unit 7, a power source connected to the Peltie device is operated to cool one side face of the Peltie device, and the water collecting unit 6 is cooled on the low temperature side of the Peltie device. The cooling unit operation start step (S1-3) may be performed before S1-8 and after S1-2. The cooling unit 7 is continuously or intermittently operated, and the cooling unit 7 cools a region in the water collecting unit 6, reduces saturated steam in the water collecting unit 6, and condenses (liquefies(steam.

The switching valve switching (L2 to L5) step (S1-4) is a step to cause second gas to flow from the line L2 to the line L5 by operating the first switching valve 8. The second gas flow in a second fluid passage. When the first switching valve 8 is operated, the closed first loop circuit is opened, and the second gas is exhausted from the line L5 and can be decompressed.

The decompressing pump operation start step (S1-5) is a step to discharge the second gas from the line L5 by starting operation of the decompressing pump 5. The second gas fed by the decompressing pump 5 passes through the lines L2 and L5 and is exhausted from the line L5. Since the decompressed second gas flows, vaporized water easily move from first gas to the second gas. A decompression speed and a flow speed of the second gas can be changed by increasing an air blowing amount of the decompressing pump 5. When a pressures is low and the second gas flows fast, a mass transfer resistance from the water-permeable membrane 3 to the second gas is reduced, and movement of gaseous water from the first gas to the second gas is likely to be facilitated. The decompressing pump 5 is preferably operated at an appropriate condition in consideration of such as properties of the water-permeable membrane 3, the amount of collected water, the time for water collecting.

The pressure comparison (P≦P_(SET1)) step (S1-6) is a step to determine whether a pressure P of the second gas becomes equal to or less than a set pressure P_(SET1). When P≦P_(SET1) is satisfied (true), the next step is performed. When P≦P_(SET1) is not satisfied (false), decompression operation by the decompressing pump 5 is continued without switching the first switching valve 8. The P_(SET1) is preferably operated at an appropriate condition in consideration of such as properties of the water-permeable membrane 3, the amount of collected water, and the time for water collecting. When a pressure of the first gas is denoted by P1, the P_(SET1) is a value lower than P1, and for example, the P_(SET1) can be set to 0.9P1.

The switching valve switching (L2 to L3) step (S1-7) is a step to cause the second gas to flow from the line L2 to the line L3 by operating the first switching valve 8. When the first switching valve 8 is operated, the opened first loop circuit is closed, and the second gas circulates in a first loop circuit. The second gas flow in a first fluid passage. When the second gas circulates in the first loop circuit, gaseous water moves from the first gas to the second gas, and a humidity of the second gas is increased. The second gas circulating in the first loop circuit is cooled when passing through the water collecting unit 6. The amount of saturated steam in the cooled second gas is reduced, supersaturated gaseous water is condensed, and liquid water can be collected. The amount of collected water can be increased by continuously circulating the second gas. In a step before S1-7, although a collecting speed is slow in comparison with the present step, in a similar mechanism, gaseous water is condensed, and liquid water is collected. When water is continuously collected, a pressure of the second gas may be increased. Although being omitted in the chart of the water collecting cycle illustrated in FIG. 2, in a step between S1-7 and S1-8, the switching valve switching (L2 to L5) step (S1-4), the pressure comparison (P≦P_(SET1)) step (S1-6), and the switching valve switching (L2 to L3) step (S1-7) may be repeatedly performed. Before the steps are repeatedly performed, it is preferably determined whether the pressure P of the second gas is equal to or less than a set pressure P_(SET2). If the pressure P of the second gas is higher than the set pressure P_(SET2), the second gas is preferably decompressed again. The pressure P_(SET2) is preferably a value, for example, equal to or greater than the pressure P_(SET1).

The water collecting amount comparison (V≧V_(SET1)) step (S1-8) is a step to determine whether the amount of collected water (water remaining amount) V is equal to or greater than a determined amount V_(SET1). When V≧V_(SET1) is satisfied (true), the next step is performed. When V≧V_(SET1) is not satisfied (false), water collecting is continued. The determined amount V_(SET1) may be appropriately set in accordance with the required collected water amount. The amount of collected water may be a value obtained by measuring an actual water amount and may be a value estimated by analyzing information on a temperature and a humidity of the first gas and an operation history of the water collecting system 100.

The decompressing pump operation stop step (S1-9) is a step to stop operation of the decompressing pump 5.

The cooling unit operation stop step (S1-10) is a step to stop operation of the cooling unit 7. Either of the step S1-9 or S1-10 may be performed first.

The water collecting stop step (S1-11) is a step to wait until the next water collecting cycle starts after all of water collecting steps are finished.

Water is efficiently collected by the above-described steps. Gaseous water passed through the water-permeable membrane 3 is collected as liquid water. Therefore, the water collected in the embodiment is hardly contaminated or not contaminated and is preferable from a hygiene point of view and a storage point of view.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment relates to a humidification system and a humidification method. A humidification system of an embodiment has a water supplying unit with a water-permeable membrane, a first chamber and a second chamber separated from the first chamber by the permeable membrane, a vacuum unit, a water collecting unit collecting liquid water, a first switching valve, a cooling unit cooling the water collecting unit, an air blowing unit sending first gas to the first chamber, a liquid water vaporization unit vaporizing the liquid water, and a liquid feed unit feeding the liquid water collected by the water collecting unit to the liquid water vaporization unit. The second chamber, the vacuum unit, the water collecting unit, and the first switching valve comprise a first loop circuit in which second gas flow. The vacuum unit decompresses the second gas flowing in the first loop circuit and reduces a pressure in the second gas in comparison with a pressure in the first gas. The cooling unit collects liquid water by cooling cools the second gas passing through the water collecting unit and condensing gaseous water included in the second gas. The liquid water vaporization unit vaporizes the liquid water.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of a humidification system (humidification device) 200 according to the second embodiment. A humidification system 200 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a water supplying unit separated by a water-permeable membrane 3 into a first chamber 1 and a second chamber 2, a decompressing pump 5 which is a vacuum unit, a water collecting unit 6, a first switching valve 8, a cooling unit 7, an air blowing unit 4, a liquid water vaporization unit 10, and a control unit C. The water supplying unit separated by the water-permeable membrane 3 into the first chamber 1 and the second chamber 2, the decompressing pump 5 which is the vacuum unit, the water collecting unit 6, the first switching valve 8, the cooling unit 7, and the air blowing unit 4 are commonly used in the water collecting system 100 according to the first embodiment. The water collecting unit 6, a liquid feed pump 9, and the liquid water vaporization unit 10 form a second circuit. The second circuit is an opened circuit in which liquid water collected by the water collecting unit 6 flow. Lines L6 and L7 are pipes in which the liquid water collected by the water collecting unit 6 flow. The humidification system 200 can be used in a device for controlling humidity in a room, such as an air conditioner and a humidifier. In the humidification system 200 according to the second embodiment, preferably, a water collecting system is disposed outside of a room which is a space to be humidified, and the liquid water vaporization unit 10 is disposed inside the room. An arrow in FIG. 4 indicates a direction in which fluid flow in an operation cycle to be described below.

The water collecting system according to the second embodiment is common with the water collecting system 100 and the water collecting method according to the first embodiment. Descriptions of such as configurations, steps, and operation methods common in the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be omitted.

The liquid feed pump 9 is a liquid feed unit for feeding liquid water collected by the water collecting unit 6 to the liquid water vaporization unit 10. For example, a tube pump and a diaphragm liquid feed pump can be used as the liquid feed pump 9. The line L6 connects the liquid feed pump 9 and the water collecting unit 6. Further, the line L7 connects the liquid feed pump 9 and the liquid water vaporization unit 10. Preferably, a check valve is provided in the liquid feed pump 9, or a valve is provided in the line L7, to prevent backflow of liquid water while the liquid feed pump 9 is stopped. A three way valve (not illustrated) is provided in the line L7, one side is connected to the liquid feed pump 9 side, another side is connected to the liquid water vaporization unit 10, the other side is connected to a drain pipe, and liquid water between the water collecting unit 6 and the line L7 may be discharged after humidification is finished and when humidification is not performed for a long time. The liquid feed pump 9 transports liquid water. Therefore, the pump does not need much transportation energy per water transportation capacity (g/hour) in comparison with a case of transporting moist air including water. Therefore, since noise generation can be suppressed while the liquid feed pump 9 is operated, a humidification system which transports liquid water is preferable.

The liquid water vaporization unit 10 is a unit to absorb liquid water and vaporize the absorbed water. The liquid water vaporization unit 10 preferably includes at least a hydrophilic porous body. The hydrophilic porous body is such as water absorptive (porous) and hydrophilic polymer fiber, for example, having a nonwoven fabric structure (for example, polyester fiber and rayon fiber), polymer fiber having a nonwoven fabric structure reinforced by a reinforcing agent such as phenol resin (for example, Unipex SB), sintered polyolefin resin, and a pulp having nonwoven fabric structure (for example, Kimtowels). The hydrophilic porous body vaporizes absorbed liquid water. However, to increase vaporizing speed, a blower for feeding air to the hydrophilic porous body is preferably used in the liquid water vaporization unit 10.

The control unit C preferably further controls the liquid feed pump 9 and the blower of the liquid water vaporization unit 10. The control unit C can detect a humidity change by a humidity sensor (not illustrated) in the humidification system 200 and control humidification operation based on the detected humidity information.

A humidification cycle of the humidification system 200, which is a humidification method according to the second embodiment, will be described. FIG. 4 illustrates a chart of the humidification cycle according to the second embodiment. The humidification cycle illustrated in the chart in FIG. 4 includes a water collecting step S1, a humidification operation start step (S2-1), a liquid feed pump operation start step (S2-2), a humidity comparison (β≧β_(SET1)) step (S2-3), a liquid feed pump operation stop step (S2-4), and a humidification operation stop step (S2-5).

The water collecting step S1 is the water collecting cycle steps S1-1 to S1-11 in the water collecting system 100 described in the first embodiment. If the amount of collected water (water remaining amount) V is equal to greater than a determined amount V_(SET2), the water collecting step S1 may be omitted, and the humidification operation step S2 may be performed. Further, the water collecting step S1 may be performed while humidification operation is not performed such that the humidification operation step S2 can be performed at an arbitrary timing. An appropriate value in accordance with humidification conditions is preferably set to the water amount V_(SET2).

The humidification operation start step S2-1 is an instruction from the control unit C for starting a humidification operation. The instruction from the control unit C is such as timing when a humidity β in a space to be humidified becomes equal to or lower than a determined humidity β_(SET2), timing set by the control unit C, and switch operation by an operator. A humidification operation and a water collecting operation are not performed at the same time. Therefore, the humidification operation is performed after the water collecting step S1 is finished. When the humidification operation and the water collecting operation are performed at the same time, liquid water may flow back in the liquid feed pump 9 and not be stably fed to the liquid water vaporization unit 10, and therefore it is not preferable. An appropriate value in accordance with humidification conditions is preferably set to the humidity β_(SET2).

The liquid feed pump operation start step (S2-2) is a step to operate the liquid feed pump 9 and feed liquid water in the water collecting unit 6 to the liquid water vaporization unit 10. The liquid water passed through the lines L6 and L7 is absorbed by a hydrophilic porous body in the liquid water vaporization unit 10. When the water absorbed by the hydrophilic porous body is vaporized, the amount of steam in a space to be humidified can be increased. The vaporization amount of water from the hydrophilic porous body in humidification can be controlled by operation conditions of the liquid feed pump 9 and a blower in the liquid water vaporization unit 10.

The humidity comparison (β≧β_(SET1)) step (S2-3) is a step to determine whether the humidity β in a space to be humidified is equal to or greater than the determined humidity β_(SET1). A humidity sensor (not illustrated) is preferably used in the space to be humidified. When β≧β_(SET1) is satisfied (true), the next step is performed. When β≧β_(SET1) is not satisfied (false), humidification is continued. The humidity β_(SET1) is such as a value determined in advance, a value calculated by the control unit C based on a temperature in the room to be humidified and an outside weather condition, and a value set by an operator. The humidity is either a relative humidity or an absolute humidity. In this step, the amount of vaporized water is calculated or estimated from the amount of liquid water fed by the liquid feed pump 9 and the time for humidification. When a set condition is satisfied, it is determined to be “true”, and the next step may be performed. When the set condition is not satisfied, it is determined to be “false”, humidification may be continued. Further, when water in the water collecting unit 6 run out, and water cannot be fed to the liquid water vaporization unit 10, it is determined to be “true”, and the next step can be performed. Between the steps S2-3 and S2-4, liquid water stored between the water collecting unit 6 and the line L7 may be discharged. As a method for discharging liquid water stored between the water collecting unit 6 and the line L7, for example, the liquid water may be discharged from a drain (not illustrated) by connecting the line L7 and the drain, and the liquid water may be vaporized by the liquid water vaporization unit 10 until the liquid water is gone.

The liquid feed pump operation stop step (S2-4) is a step to stop operation of the liquid feed pump 9. In the case where a humidification operation is not performed for a long time after operation of the liquid feed pump 9 is stopped, liquid water stored in the line L7 and the water collecting unit 6 may be discharged through an exhaust passage (not illustrated).

The humidification operation stop step (S2-5) is a step to wait until all of the humidification steps are finished, and the next cycle starts. A cycle next to the present step may be a cycle of the water collecting step S1, and may be a cycle of the humidification step S2 if sufficient liquid water is remained.

According to the above-described steps, humidification can be performed by using liquid water in which water is efficiently collected. Since liquid water is fed, humidification can be stably and efficiently performed in a short time, in comparison with a case where gaseous water passing through a pipe is used for humidification. In the case where gaseous water collected from outside is used as it is for humidification, when an outside air humidity is low, a large energy is required to increase humidity, and it is sometimes difficult to reach a targeted humidity, and also a pump with large noise is needed for humidification. Further, as another advantage in the present embodiment, gaseous water passed through the water-permeable membrane 3 is collected as liquid water, and therefore, the water collected in the embodiment is hardly contaminated or not contaminated, and vaporized water discharged by humidification is preferable from a hygiene point of view and a storage point of view.

Third Embodiment

A third embodiment relates to an air conditioning system and a humidification method. An air conditioning system of an embodiment has a water supplying unit separated by a water-permeable membrane, a first chamber and a second chamber separated from the first chamber by the permeable membrane, a vacuum unit, a water collecting unit collecting liquid water, a first switching valve, an air blowing unit sending first gas to the first chamber, a liquid water vaporization unit vaporizing the liquid water, a liquid feed unit feeding the liquid water collected by the water collecting unit to the liquid water vaporization unit, and a heat pump cycle including a cooling unit. The second chamber, the vacuum unit, the water collecting unit, and the first switching valve comprise a first loop circuit in which second gas flow. The vacuum unit decompresses the second gas flowing in the first loop circuit and reduces a pressure in the second gas in comparison with a pressure in the first gas. The cooling unit is cooled by heat absorption by the refrigerant in the heat pump cycle. The cooled cooling unit cools the water collecting unit and the liquid water is collected by condensing gaseous water included in the second gas, Humidification by vaporizing the liquid water by the liquid water vaporization unit and air conditioning operation by the heat pump cycle are performed.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of the air conditioning system (air conditioner) 300 according to the third embodiment. The air conditioning system 300 includes a humidification system 200 and a heat pump cycle. The air conditioning system 300 collects water by cooling a water collecting unit 6 by heat absorption by a refrigerant in the heat pump cycle and performs humidification and air conditioning operation. The air conditioning system 300 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes a water supplying unit separated by a water-permeable membrane 3 into a first chamber 1 and a second chamber 2, a decompressing pump 5 which is a vacuum unit, the water collecting unit 6, a first switching valve 8, a third heat exchanger 7 which is a cooling unit, an air blowing unit 4, a liquid water vaporization unit 10 connected to a liquid feed pump 9, a first heat exchanger 11, a compressor 12, a four-way valve 13 for switching cooling and heating operation, a first expansion valve 14, a second heat exchanger 15, a second switching valve 16, and a control unit C. The water supplying unit separated by the water-permeable membrane 3 into the first chamber 1 and the second chamber 2, the decompressing pump 5 which is the vacuum unit, the water collecting unit 6, the first switching valve 8, the cooling unit 7, and the air blowing unit 4 are commonly used in the water collecting system 100 according to the first embodiment or the humidification system 200 according to the second embodiment. The liquid feed pump 9 and the liquid water vaporization unit 10 are commonly used in the humidification system 200 according to the second embodiment. The first heat exchanger 11, the compressor 12, the four-way valve 13, the first expansion valve 14, the second heat exchanger 15, the second switching valve 16, the second expansion valve 17, and the third heat exchanger 7 comprises a third circuit. The third circuit is a circuit in which a refrigerant circulates. Lines L8 to L16 are pipes in which the refrigerant flows. When the four-way valve 13 conducts the lines L8 and L9 and the lines L12 and L13, the air conditioning system 300 performs heating operation. When the four-way valve 13 conducts the lines L8 and L12 and the lines L9 and L13, the air conditioning system 300 performs heating operation. In the air conditioning system 300 according to the third embodiment, preferably, the first heat exchanger 11 and the liquid water vaporization unit 10 are disposed in a room which is a space to be humidified, and others are disposed outside. In the third embodiment, a third heat exchanger is used in which heat is exchanged by flowing a refrigerant of the air conditioning system 300 as the cooling unit 7. The cooling unit is not limited to the third heat exchanger 7, a Peltie device and low temperature air may be used, and these may be combined with the third heat exchanger. In the case where, as the cooling unit 7, a cooling unit other than the third heat exchanger 7 such as the Peltie device and the low temperature air is used, the second expansion valve 17, the second switching valve 16, and the lines L14, L15, and L16 can be omitted.

The compressor 12 is disposed between the first heat exchanger 11 and the second heat exchanger 15 and compresses a refrigerant. The four-way valve 13 for switching a refrigerant flow direction is disposed between the compressor 12 and the first heat exchanger 11. The lines L8 and L13 connect the compressor 12 and the four-way valve 13. An accumulator for storing a liquid refrigerant may be attached to a part of the compressor 12. When heating operation is performed, a refrigerant output from the compressor 12 is again absorbed by the compressor 12 through the four-way valve 13, the first expansion valve 14, the first heat exchanger 11, and the second heat exchanger 15. Alternatively, a refrigerant output from the compressor 12 is again absorbed by the compressor 12 through the four-way valve 13, the second switching valve 16, the second expansion valve 17, and the third heat exchanger 7. A refrigerant used in an air conditioner, such as hydrofluorocarbon and hydrochlorofluorocarbon, can be used as a refrigerant according to the embodiment.

The four-way valve 13 is disposed between the compressor 12 and the first heat exchanger 11 and between the compressor 12 and the second heat exchanger 15. The line L9 connects the four-way valve 13 and the first heat exchanger 11. The line L15 connects the four-way valve 13 and the second heat exchanger 15. The four-way valve 13 can switch a circulation direction of a refrigerant compressed by the compressor 12. A circulation circuit in which the compressed refrigerant flows toward the first heat exchanger 11 is a circuit for heating operation. In heating operation, heated air is fed from the first heat exchanger 11 to the inside of a room. A circulation circuit in which the compressed refrigerant flows toward the second heat exchanger 15 is a circuit for cooling operation. In cooling operation, cooled air is fed from the first heat exchanger 11 to the inside of a room. Hereinafter, a heating operation will be described in the embodiment, and a cooling operation will be omitted. However, the air conditioning system 300 can have both heating and cooling functions. The air conditioning system 300 having only a heating function may not include the four-way valve 13.

The first heat exchanger 11 is disposed between the four-way valve 13 and the first expansion valve 14. The line L9 connects the first heat exchanger 11 and the four-way valve 13. The line L10 connects the first heat exchanger 11 and the first expansion valve 14. The first heat exchanger 11 exchanges heat in a high-pressure and high-temperature refrigerant compressed by the compressor 12 and indoor air and discharge air heated by condensing a refrigerant in a room. The heat-exchanged air is fed in a room by a fan rotated by a motor. In FIG. 5, the liquid water vaporization unit 10 is disposed in the first heat exchanger 11. This is for feeding humidified and heated air from a common vent. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, a vent to feed humidified air and a vent to feed heated air may be separately provided.

The first expansion valve 14 is disposed between the first heat exchanger 11 and the second heat exchanger 15. The line L10 connects the first expansion valve 14 and the first heat exchanger 11. The first expansion valve 14 and the second heat exchanger 15 are connected by the line L11. The first expansion valve 14 is a member for decompressing a refrigerant passed through the first heat exchanger 11.

The second heat exchanger 15 is disposed between the first expansion valve 14 and the four-way valve 13. The line L11 connects the second heat exchanger 15 and the first expansion valve 14. The line L12 connects the second heat exchanger 15 and the four-way valve 13. The second heat exchanger 15 is a member for exchanging heat between a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant decompressed by the first expansion valve 14 and outdoor air and for discharging air cooled by vaporizing the refrigerant to the outside of a room.

The second switching valve 16 is disposed between the first expansion valve 14 and the second expansion valve 17. The line L10 connects the second switching valve 16, the first heat exchanger 11, and the first expansion valve 14. The line L14 connects the second switching valve 16 and the second heat exchanger 15. The second switching valve 16 controls flow of a refrigerant to the second expansion valve 17 and the third heat exchanger 7. When the second switching valve 16 is opened, a refrigerant flows to the second expansion valve 17 and the third heat exchanger 7. When the second switching valve 16 is closed, the refrigerant does not flow to the second expansion valve 17 and the third heat exchanger 7.

The second expansion valve 17 is disposed between the first heat exchanger 11 and the third heat exchanger 7. The lines L10 and L14 connect the second expansion valve 17 and the first heat exchanger 11. The line L15 connects the second expansion valve 17 and the third heat exchanger 7. The second expansion valve 17 is a member for decompressing a refrigerant passed through the first heat exchanger 11.

The third heat exchanger 7 exchanges heat in the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant decompressed by the second expansion valve 17 and heat in the water collecting unit 6 and cools the water collecting unit 6. Specifically, the third heat exchanger 7 is cooled by a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant, and the water collecting unit 6 directly and indirectly exchanges heat with the third heat exchanger 7. Accordingly, the water collecting unit 6 is cooled, and the water collecting unit 6 condenses gaseous water and collects liquid water. The line L15 connects the second expansion valve 17 and the third heat exchanger 7. The line L16 connects the third heat exchanger 7 and the second heat exchanger 15. The lines L16 and L12 connect the second expansion valve 17 and the four-way valve 13. When the water collecting unit 6 is cooled, the second switching valve 16 is opened, and the lines L10 and L14 are conducted. The third heat exchanger 7 may directly exchange heat with the water collecting unit 6 and may indirectly exchange heat by using air as a medium.

Although, in the schematic view in FIG. 5, the second heat exchanger 15 and the third heat exchanger 7 are connected in parallel, a connection method is not limited to the method indicated in FIG. 5, and, for example, the second heat exchanger 15 and the third heat exchanger 7 can be connected in series, and the second switching valve 16 may be omitted in this case.

An air conditioning cycle for humidifying the air conditioning system 300 according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 illustrates a chart of the air conditioning cycle for humidification according to the third embodiment. The humidification cycle illustrated in the chart in FIG. 6 includes an air conditioning operation start step (S3-1), a water collecting step S1, a humidification step S2, a compressor operation start step (S3-2), an air blowing start step (S3-3), and an air conditioning operation stop step (S3-4). An air conditioning cycle for humidification to be described below will be described regarding a heating operation. When a cooling operation is performed, the second switching valve 16 is preferably closed such that a refrigerant does not flow between the second expansion valve 17 and the third heat exchanger 7. An arrow in FIG. 6 indicates a direction in which fluid flow in an operation cycle to be described below.

The air conditioning operation start step (S3-1) is, for example, an instruction from the control unit C for starting air conditioning operation. The instruction from the control unit C is timing set by the control unit C and switch operation by an operator.

The water collecting step S1 is the water collecting cycle steps S1-1 to S1-11 in the water collecting system 100 described in the first embodiment. If the amount of collected water (water remaining amount) V is equal to or greater than a determined water amount V_(SET2), the water collecting step S1 may be omitted, and the humidification operation step S2 may be performed. Further, the water collecting step S1 may be performed while humidification operation is not performed such that the humidification operation step S2 can be performed at an arbitrary timing. Furthermore, the water collecting step S1 may be performed while an air conditioning operation is not performed. When the water collecting step S1 is performed while the air conditioning operation is not performed, the water collecting step S1 may be independently performed during a preliminary air conditioning operation or by further using a cooling unit (not illustrated) such as a Peltie device. An appropriate value in accordance with humidification conditions is preferably set to the water amount V_(SET2).

The humidification step S2 is the humidification cycle steps S2-1 to S2-5 in the humidification system 200 according to the embodiment. The start timing of the humidification step S2 is timing when a humidity β in a space to be humidified becomes equal to or less than a determined humidity β_(SET2) and timing when the water collecting step S1 is finished. After the humidification step S2 is finished, the humidification system 200 may wait until an air conditioning operation is stopped, and when the humidity β in a space to be humidified becomes equal to or less than a determined humidify β_(SET3), the humidification operation and the water collecting step may be restarted. An appropriate value in accordance with humidification conditions is preferably determined to the humidity β_(SET2) and the humidity β_(SET3). Further, after an indoor humidity reaches the humidity β_(SET1), the water collecting step S1 may be performed for the next humidification step S2. Further, in the case such as where liquid water used for humidification is insufficient during an air conditioning operation, a step to collect water by using a humidification system in the air conditioning system and a step to humidify by using the water collected by using the humidification system in the air conditioning system are alternatively performed, and these steps may be alternatively and repeatedly performed. In other words, the water collecting step S1 and the humidification step S2 may be alternatively performed during air conditioning operation, and these steps may be alternatively and repeatedly performed. In the case where the water collecting step S1 is performed in advance, air conditioning operation is started, and humidification operation can be performed without performing the water collecting step S1.

The compressor operation start step (S3-2) is a step to circulate a refrigerant by starting an operation of the compressor 12. In the compressor operation start step (S3-2), operation of a heat pump cycle is started. A low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant becomes a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant by being compressed by the compressor 12. A refrigerant compressed by the compressor 12 is liquefied by being condensed by the first heat exchanger 11 through the four-way valve 13. The liquefied refrigerant is decompressed and cooled by the first expansion valve 14. The liquefied low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant is liquefied by which heat in the refrigerant is absorbed by the second heat exchanger 15. The refrigerant liquefied by the second heat exchanger 15 returns to the compressor 12 through the four-way valve 13. Here, when water is collected, the second switching valve 16 is opened, and a refrigerant is fed to the second expansion valve 17 and the third heat exchanger 7. The refrigerant fed to the second expansion valve 17 and the third heat exchanger 7 performs decompression and heat absorption as well. By performing heat absorption in the third heat exchanger 7 from the water collecting unit 6, heat in the water collecting unit 6 is absorbed, and the water collecting unit 6 can be cooled. In the water collecting step S1, the third heat exchanger 7 is used as a cooling unit, and when the amount of collected water becomes equal to or greater than V_(SET1), the water collecting step S1 is finished, and the humidification step S2 is started. Immediately after an operation of the compressor 12 is started, a refrigerant pressure is not sufficiently adjusted, and therefore, the refrigerant is preferably circulated by the compressor 12 before air blowing is started.

The air blowing start step (S3-3) is for feeding air heated by heat exchange between the first heat exchanger 11 and indoor air to the inside of a room. Operation and an air-blowing amount of the compressor 12 are appropriately adjusted such as by a set temperature for air conditioning. Air blowing may be performed in the liquid water vaporization unit 10. Air blowing from the first heat exchanger 11 (the liquid water vaporization unit 10) may feed humidified air and heated air from a common vent, or the humidified air and the heated air may be fed from separate vents.

The air conditioning operation stop step (S3-4) is a step to stop air blowing and operation of the compressor 12. When an inside temperature T reaches a determined temperature T_(SET1) and when an operator stop operation by switch operation, the operation is stopped.

In the third embodiment, the water collecting system according to the first embodiment and the humidification system according to the second embodiment are included, and therefore water is efficiently collected during heating operation by using a heat cycle of a heat pump cycle, and humidification and air conditioning are performed by using the collected liquid water. Therefore, the air conditioning system according to the third embodiment can perform low-noise, highly efficient, and humid air conditioning operation by one device (system). As another advantage in the present embodiment, gaseous water passed through the water-permeable membrane 3 is collected as liquid water, and therefore, the water collected in the embodiment is hardly contaminated or not contaminated, and vaporized water discharged by humidification is preferable from a hygiene point of view and a storage point of view.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A water collecting system, comprising: a water supplying unit with a water-permeable membrane, a first chamber and a second chamber separated from the first chamber by the water permeable membrane; a vacuum unit; a water collecting unit collecting liquid water; a first switching valve; a cooling unit cooling the water collecting unit; and an air blowing unit sending first gas to the first chamber, wherein the second chamber, the vacuum unit, the water collecting unit, and the first switching valve comprise a first loop circuit in which second gas flow, the vacuum unit decompresses the second gas flowing in the first loop circuit and reduces a pressure in the second gas in comparison with a pressure in the first gas, and the cooling unit collects the liquid water by cooling the second gas passing through the water collecting unit and condensing gaseous water included in the second gas.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum unit moves gaseous water included in the first gas to the second gas through the water-permeable membrane.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein an intake side of the vacuum unit is connected to the second chamber, an exhaust side of the vacuum unit is connected to the first switching valve, the first switching valve is connected to the exhaust side of the vacuum unit, the water collecting unit, and a pipe for exhausting to the outside of the first loop circuit, the first switching valve switches a first fluid passage in which the second gas flow from the vacuum unit to the water collecting unit and a second fluid passage in which the second gas flow from the vacuum unit to the outside of the first loop circuit when pressure in the second gas is equal to or higher than a set pressure.
 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the water-permeable membrane is at least any one of a solid polymer membrane, a membrane including acrylic resin, zeolite membrane and a silica membrane.
 5. The system according claim 1, wherein the liquid water is stored in the water collecting unit.
 6. A humidification system, comprising: a water supplying unit with a water-permeable membrane, a first chamber and a second chamber separated from the first chamber by the water permeable membrane; a vacuum unit; a water collecting unit collecting liquid water; a first switching valve; a cooling unit cooling the water collecting unit; an air blowing unit sending first gas to the first chamber; a liquid water vaporization unit vaporizing the liquid water; and a liquid feed unit feeding the liquid water collected by the water collecting unit to the liquid water vaporization unit, wherein the second chamber, the vacuum unit, the water collecting unit, and the first switching valve comprise a first loop circuit in which second gas flow, the vacuum unit decompresses the second gas flowing in the first loop circuit and reduces a pressure in the second gas in comparison with a pressure in the first gas, the cooling unit collects the liquid water by cooling cools the second gas passing through the water collecting unit and condensing gaseous water included in the second gas, and the liquid water vaporization unit vaporizes the liquid water.
 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the vacuum unit reduces a pressure in the second gas in comparison with a pressure in the first gas and moves gaseous water included in the first gas to the second gas through the water-permeable membrane.
 8. The system according to claim 6, wherein an intake side of the vacuum unit is connected to the second chamber, an exhaust side of the vacuum unit is connected to the first switching valve, the first switching valve is connected to the exhaust side of the vacuum unit, the water collecting unit, and a pipe for exhausting to the outside of the first loop circuit, the first switching valve switches a first fluid passage in which the second gas flow from the vacuum unit to the water collecting unit and a second fluid passage in which the second gas flow from the vacuum unit to the outside of the first loop circuit when pressure in the second gas is higher than a set pressure.
 9. The system according to claim 6, wherein the water-permeable membrane is at least any one of a solid polymer membrane, a membrane including acrylic resin, zeolite membrane and a silica membrane.
 10. The system according claim 6, wherein the liquid water is stored in the water collecting unit.
 11. An air conditioning system, comprising: a water supplying unit with a water-permeable membrane, a first chamber and a second chamber separated from the first chamber by the water permeable membrane; a vacuum unit; a water collecting unit collecting liquid water; a first switching valve; an air blowing unit sending first gas to the first chamber; a liquid water vaporization unit vaporizing the liquid water; a liquid feed unit feeding the liquid water collected by the water collecting unit to the liquid water vaporization unit; and a heat pump cycle including a cooling unit, wherein the second chamber, the vacuum unit, the water collecting unit, and the first switching valve comprise a first loop circuit in which second gas flow, the vacuum unit decompresses the second gas flowing in the first loop circuit and reduces a pressure in the second gas in comparison with a pressure in the first gas, the cooling unit is cooled by heat absorption by the refrigerant in the heat pump cycle, the cooled cooling unit cools the water collecting unit and the liquid water is collected by condensing gaseous water included in the second gas, and humidification by vaporizing the liquid water by the liquid water vaporization unit and air conditioning operation by the heat pump cycle are performed.
 12. The system according to claim 11, wherein collecting of the liquid water and vaporization of the liquid water are alternately performed.
 13. The according to claim 11, wherein the vacuum unit moves gaseous water included in the first gas to the second gas through the water-permeable membrane.
 14. The air conditioning system according to claim 11, wherein an intake side of the vacuum unit is connected to the second chamber, an exhaust side of the vacuum unit is connected to the first switching valve, the first switching valve is connected to the exhaust side of the vacuum unit, the water collecting unit, and a pipe for exhausting to the outside of the first loop circuit, and the first switching valve switches a first fluid passage in which the second gas flow from the vacuum unit to the water collecting unit and a second fluid passage in which the second gas flow from the vacuum unit to the outside of the first loop circuit when pressure in the second gas is higher than a set pressure.
 15. The system according to claim 11, wherein the water-permeable membrane is at least any one of a solid polymer membrane, a membrane including acrylic resin, zeolite membrane and a silica membrane.
 16. The system according claim 11, wherein the liquid water is stored in the water collecting unit. 